Driven: 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron Is Part New, All Improved

一个s with the exterior, Audi hasn't changed much inside the cabin. There's still a 10.1-inch central touchscreen powered by Audi's Touch MMI infotainment system with an 8.6-inch lower screen to control climate functions. Though the screens are easy to use without any confusing menus, they are looking a bit small next to other vehicles at this price point. Audi's Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster screen remains a joy to use with a simple layout that can be navigated from the steering wheel.

Our tester was a top-level Prestige, meaning it came with Audi's lovely Valcona/Milano leather seats with heating, ventilation, and massage function. The standard black leather is a bit boring, and we'd prefer either the lighter Pearl Beige or Okapi Brown. Buyers who snag a launch edition can get a unique Flint Gray interior with orange seat piping. We liked the look of the Volcano Ash Gray wood inlays on the dash, but some of our passengers commented that it looked cheap. A more conventional Dark Brown Natural Sycamore Wood is also available and won't cost you extra.

The outgoing e-tron Sportback could only go 225 miles on a single charge. Next to the recent crop of luxury EVs, that wasn't going to cut it. Using cell stacking technology, Audi managed to package a 114 kWh battery (106 kWh usable) in the same amount of physical space where the outgoing 95 kWh battery used to sit. The usable capacity is also improved from 91% to 93%. Range has now shot up to between 296 miles or a full 300 miles with the Ultra Package. We are a bit dubious of that claim, though, since we only averaged 2.5 miles per kWh in our week of testing, which would net about 285 miles.

一个long with improved range, the Q8 can charge faster than the old e-tron. It now peaks at 170 kW (up from 150 kW), meaning it can go from 10-80% in 31 minutes. This is still not class-leading, but it's more competitive. On an AC charger, the Q8 replenishes at 9.6 KW, good for a full battery in 13 hours. There is also a $1,850 AC Charging Package that adds a second plug capable of 19.2 kW. That would fill up the battery in just 6.5 hours, but few owners will have that level of juice in their residence - and it's only available on higher trims.

Like most Audi vehicles, the Q8 Sportback e-tron puts an emphasis on smoothness. The adaptive air suspension is cushy without feeling sloppy, and the steering hardware was redesigned to deliver more feedback than before. It feels more connected than most gas-powered Audi models, including the conventional Q8. On the highway, the cabin is serene, with very little wind or road noise intruding.

一个s for the powertrain, dual electric motors combined to deliver up to 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. We say "up to" because that output is only delivered in Boost Mode, which requires the car to be in Dynamic Mode with the pedal depressed beyond kick-down. In regular driving, it produces 355 hp and 414 lb-ft. This isn't the type of EV that pins you back in your seat, hitting 60 mph in a relatively average 5.3 seconds. Buyers who crave more speed will want to hold out for the tri-motor SQ8 Sportback e-tron.

奥迪,保时捷,没有把一个完整的one-pedal driving mode into this EV. There are three regen modes, but none can bring the car quickly to a stop and hold it there. Audi prefers to let the vehicle coast to a stop, and we must say this car can roll further than any other vehicle we've tested when you lift off the throttle. The Q8 e-tron also lacks a creep function, which is something most other EVs offer.

Opting for the Sportback version of the Q8 e-tron makes a few sacrifices in the name of styling and range, but they aren't too drastic. You get 27.2 cubic feet behind the back seats and 54.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Those figures are down only a little compared to the standard Q8 e-tron, which gets 28.5 and 56.4 cubes, respectively.

In the back seat, the Sportback sacrifices less than an inch of headroom, but the space still feels plentiful for an occupant under six feet. As a reward for these penalties, the Sportback e-tron can travel up to 300 miles on a charge, while the standard Q8 e-tron only goes 285 miles.

Though it was always a nice luxury car, the e-tron's limited range made it a tough sell in today's market. The Q8 e-tron is a bit more expensive, but it justifies that price increase with a more competitive range and faster charging speeds. Pricing starts at $74,400 for the standardQ8 e-tron, with Sportback models pushing that up to $77,800, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. Our Prestige tester rang in at $92,390, putting it in the same territory as EVs like theBMW iXand Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

The Audi undercuts the BMW by about $10,000, though the iX offers more standard power and around seven miles more maximum range. It's not nearly as attractive as the Q8 Sportback, however. The Mercedes is about the same price, but has less power and lower range. Audi's improvements have managed to vault the Q8 e-tron from irrelevant to highly competitive. The Q8 Sportback e-tron proves that EVs will continue to improve, evolving with each new generation.